Roy flicked off the monitors and pivoted, eyes roving over the group. "Everyone, let's get started. Secure the entire ship. Then first thing in the morning, if we can get Noruma to come along, we'll head to Otherrealm. I can't risk them being used as leverage."
Eryndra clenched her fists, wanting to punish those who dared murder James Madison and Grover Cleveland.
Roy paused, swallowing the lump in his throat. "They got away with it this time, but next time, I'm ready."
Quietly, everyone dispersed to handle their assignments. The corridor outside the bridge buzzed with a handful of Base Model Presidroids scurrying about, carrying additional cameras and wires. Some wore looks of mild confusion at losing their Elite "big brothers." Roy felt a pang of guilt.
He made a brief attempt to reassure them. "Don't worry, we'll keep you all safe," he said, voice uneven. The Presidroids blinked in acknowledgment, continuing their tasks.
He forced himself to refocus, stepping back inside the ship's corridor. He needed to ensure the compartments were locked down. The corridor leading to a large cargo hold was already flooded with extra security: more cameras, a pair of Base Model droids stationed with rifles, uncertain but vigilant.
A ripple of movement behind Roy made him glance over. Father Skeleton glided down the corridor, rummaging in a small pouch he recently demanded he be allowed to carry so he could collect his favorite flecks of paint. He hummed an aimless tune as he threw the pouch at Roy's feet before scrambling away like an idiot. Roy simply watched him in amusement, momentarily worried Father Skeleton might wander onto the deck in view of Noruma. But Father Skeleton was surprisingly good at following the rules to not be see. And that rule only.
Roy reached the bridge again, finding Eryndra, Warrex, and Lutrian gathered around the largest monitor. Takara was hooking up some wires to the console. Serenity's voice droned overhead, reading out a list of everything missing.
Roy suddenly shot his head up. "Wait, Serenity, check the treasure and artifact room for anything missing."
Serenity lightly growled over the intercom. "Why didn't I think of that..."
"Calm down and look," Roy ordered.
A few moments later Serenity sighed. "It appears that was the first room they hit, reviewing the inventory list now... done, only two items are missing."
The names of the items appeared on a monitor. "Artifact #27" and "Big-ass jewel thang".
"Artifact #27...," Roy said slowly, eyes narrowed. "I can't recall what artifact #27 was."
Takara frowned, tapping the console. "Big... ass...jewel thang? Roy? Really?"
Lutrian lowered his head in confusion. "I don't remember Kaelor having anything like an artifact, just jewelry, gold and other things of that nature."
Roy started to pace around the room. "Must be from when I took Riven's stuff."
Eryndra offered a wry grin. "What are artifacts 26 and 28? Maybe that would refresh your memory?"
Serenity answered for him. "There are no such artifacts. At that time Roy labeled everything himself, hence the, uh, perfect names."
"It was in a bag and all mysterious, so I gave it a dope name and yeah, rest is history. I simply typed that, set it on the shelf and left," Roy explained.
"No use worrying about it now, let's get back to work," Eryndra said.
"Yeah, yeah." Roy sighed, then turned to Warrex. "Once we secure everything, I want you patrolling below decks. Eryndra and Lutrian can rotate with you. The rest of us will handle external checks. Everyone should be on guard for more infiltration attempts."
Warrex's eyes gleamed. "Happy to comply, feel free to give me every shift."
With the immediate plan set, they parted ways to finalize the night's security measures. Roy strolled out onto the deck, gazing over the dark water. The lively chatter from Noruma had waned, replaced by watchful hush. A few torches flickered near the beach, where villagers set up improvised lookouts.
He spotted a silhouette near the rail. Maelara again, arms resting on the cold metal. He joined her, following her gaze toward the faint lights in the village. She spoke first, voice low. "They trust you, Roy. I hope you know that. Even after everything."
"I appreciate it," he whispered, swallowing the knot in his throat. "But trust alone can't beat up invisible enemies. Also, who keeps letting you on my ship?"
She shrugged playfully. "I'll keep talking to them about your offer. Some will come, some may stay. But at least you are giving them an option."
Roy reached out, gave her shoulder a gentle pat, felt extraordinarily hard muscles, then retreated. He felt pinned down by the intangible threat that Greg and the others posed, haunted by old memories of hours long torture sessions, being drowned and resuscitated over and over again, getting beaten nonstop without anyone bothering to help. He clenched his fists against the wave of anger, forcing himself to keep it under control.
As he made his way back inside, Warrex strode past, heading below deck for his shift. Roy called after him softly, "Thanks, Warrex."
Warrex paused, glancing over his shoulder. "For what?" Warrex asked as he adjusted his hair to cover his burned ears.
Roy managed a small grin. "Taking initiative. It helps."
Warrex gave a faint nod, then continued downward.
On the bridge, Roy watched as Takara's screens scrolled lines of text. She paused on a line and turned to Roy. "Let's ask Riven." She tapped the screen in front of her that now displayed a "27". "About artifact #27."
"Maybe, he isn't usually compliant, and he isn't fat enough yet for Lincoln's starvation plan, yet," Roy muttered.
Outside, a low rumble of thunder rolled across the sky, though no rain fell yet. The monitor flicked between external cameras, revealing the quiet shape of the cove. A handful of villagers still lingered near the water, uncertain whether to keep celebrating or worry.
Lutrian looked over to Roy, concern in his eyes. "Captain?"
Roy shook his head. "Just thinking." He turned to Eryndra, who gave him a quiet look of understanding, and Warrex, who had come back up to fetch a better flashlight.
Eryndra exhaled, tension easing for the moment. "Ok, guys, should we have some fun and worry about vengeance tomorrow?"
Roy laughed but shook his head. Outside, the thunder sounded again. The ship's new patrol schedule took effect as the group split up. Eryndra and Lutrian to the forward decks, Warrex assigned to the cargo hold, Takara staying at the lounge to decode more logs, and Roy in the bridge to keep watch on external sensors.
Outside, the hush of the sea gave no answers. The faint starlight glimmered on the tide, and the battered day ended with a hollow sense of unfinished business.